Centre for Entrepreneurship and General Studies

Course Information
Course Code: GST104
Course Title: Use of Library
Credit Unit: 2
Course Status: Compulsory
Semester: 2nd
Required Study Hour: 1 hour per day
Course Edition: First

Course Team
Course Developers: National Universities Commission and
Dr. Angela E. Okpala
Course Writer: Dr. Angela E. Okpala
Instructional Designer: Inegbedion, Juliet O. (Ph.D.)
Learning Technologists: Dr. Adewale Adesina, Nura Maidoki, & Henry Ude
Course Editor: Dr. Adamu Gambo Saleh
Copy Editors: Inegbedion, Juliet O. (Ph.D.) & Christiana Uzoukwu (Mrs)

Course Guide

Ice Breaker
Upload your passport and introduce yourself by stating your names, what you do
for a living, your hobby, your expectation in this course and the name you would
prefer to be called during this course.
 Module 1: Types of Library and Services

You may have visited one or two libraries and used some of their basic services
but there is much more to the library than you can see. This module introduces
you to various kinds of libraries with their specialized services. For instance, you
may be carrying out a research on an aspect of agriculture as an undergraduate
and you may need to visit a special library such as that of – International Institute
of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan which demands a referral service from the
library. This module will tell you how to go about it also introduce you to all other
types of libraries and special services they offer.

Unit 1: Types of Library

Unit 2: Library Services

Unit 1: Types of Library

Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
3.0 Main Content
3.1 The Concept of a Library
3.2 A Brief History of Libraries
3.3 Types of libraries
3.3.1 Academic Libraries
3.3.2 Research/Special libraries
3.3.3 School libraries
3.3.4 Public libraries
3.3.5 National libraries
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 References/Further Reading

1.0 Introduction

This unit will introduce you to types of libraries. However, before going into the
types of libraries, you need to first understand the concept of library and its origin.
The various types of libraries that will be treated are: (a) Academic libraries (b)
Research/special libraries (c) School libraries (d)Public libraries and (e) National
libraries. Also, in this unit the functions of the different types of library will be
treated.

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2.0 Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Define a library
• Describe the origin of library
• Classify libraries by their characteristics and functions

3.0 Main Content

3.1 The Concept of a Library

Before we go into the types of libraries, let us first understand the concept of a
library. The word library which is “librairie” in French and in Latin “Liber” means
book. It is an organized collection of resources made accessible to a defined
community for reference or borrowing. It provides physical or digital access to
material, and may be a physical building or room, or a virtual Space, or both. A
library’s collection can include books, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, films,
maps, prints, documents, microform, CDs, cassettes, videotapes, DVDs, e-books,
audio books, databases, and other formats. Libraries range in size from a few
shelves of books to several million items. In Latin and Greek, the idea of bookcase
is represented by Bibliotheca. This means Library in many modern languages. For
example in French, library is called bibliothque.

3.2 History/Origin of Libraries

The first libraries contained achieves of the earliest form of writing such as clay
tablets in cuneiform script discovered in summer some dating back to 2600 BC.
These written archives marked the end of prehistory and the beginning of history.
According to Zhang (2011) the earliest discovered private archives were kept at
Ugarit. Also, there was evidence of libraries at Nippur about 1900BC and at
Nineveh about 700BC showing a Library classification system. Private or personal
libraries consisting of written books appeared in classical Greece in the 5th century
BC. In the 6th century, at the very close of the classical period, the great libraries
of the Mediterranean world were those of Constantinople and Alexandria. From
the 15th century in Central and Northern Italy, libraries of humanists and their
enlightened patrons existed. The oldest existing library in China was Tianyi
chamber library which was founded in 1561 by Fan Qin during the Ming Dynasty.
It had a collection of 70,000 volumes of antique books. In North American, personal
collections of books were brought over to the continent by French settlers in the
16th century. The oldest non-personal library on the North America continent was
founded at the Jesuit College in Quebec City in 1635.

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3.3 Types of Libraries

3.3.1 Academic Libraries

These are libraries of academic institutions such as universities, Polytechnics and

Colleges of education. The purpose of establishing these libraries is to meet the
information needs of staff and students in the institutions they belong. The library
is the heart of these institutions since all they do revolve round books. Basically,
these libraries support all academic programmes offered in the institutions.

Function of Academic Libraries

1. Provision of research information resources in line with the needs of the

staff and students.

2. Provision of information materials as required for the academic

programmes of the parent institutions.

3. Provision of information resources for recreation and for personal self-

development of users.

4. Provision of specialized information services to appropriate sections of the

larger community.

5. Co-operation with other libraries at appropriate level for improved and better
information services.

6. Provision of conducive reading environment and facilities

3.3.2 Research /Special Libraries

Research libraries are also special libraries. They are purposely established to
cater for patrons with special and specific interest. Special libraries serve an
identified group of users with common (and special) interest. They are privately
owned and funded by the organization that established them. The resources of
special libraries cover only particular subject area or group of subjects. Their
subject area is usually defined from onset. The information supplied by these
libraries to their patrons is usually comprehensive and up-to-date, mainly for
research. Their unique collections emphasize on primary sources of information
like Journal articles, research reports, conference proceedings and periodicals. Up
to date books and electronic materials are also found in research libraries.
Examples of special libraries are International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
(IITA) library; Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER); Cocoa
Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Centre for Black and African Arts and
Civilization (CBAAC).

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Functions and services of research/special libraries:

1. The functions and resources of the library must be in line with the primary
objectives of the parent body of the library.

2. Provision of in-house training activities to new users and staff members alike.

3. Provision and production of bibliographies

4. Provision of current awareness services (CAS) to the library clienteles. A

space must be allocated for CAS in the library for the exhibition of newly
published materials.

5. Provision of literature search.

6. Selective dissemination of information (SDI). The librarian must know users’

profile and send relevant information to them on their area of interest.

7. Provision of other supportive services such as provision of photocopying,

printing and document delivery services.

8. Inter-library loans and network are also provided by special libraries.

9. Special libraries perform some other internal and external services, such as
writing of periodic reports (e.g. monthly, quarterly or annual reports),
organizing conferences, seminars, talks for users and outsiders.

3.3.3 School Libraries

School libraries are libraries that are established in schools, they are attached to
primary and secondary schools. School libraries main objective is to serve the
educational needs of pupils, students and teachers. Among other resources school
libraries particularly have fictions, visual materials, study-kits and realia.

Functions of school libraries:

1. Collect relevant information resources that will enhance the performance of

the teachers as well as the pupils to achieve the aim and objectives of the
school education.

2. Develop and create in pupils good reading habits.

3. Help pupils to improve their vocabulary.

4. Support academic or school work.

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5. Help teachers and pupils to be current and up-to date with daily information
sources.

6. Serves as a source of subject information Centre for both teachers and pupils.

7. Help to train pupils in the use of reference materials

3.3.4 Public Libraries

Public library is a library that is open to everybody and is generally accessible by

the public. Its source of funding is public taxes and operated by civil servants.
There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries. The first is
that they are generally supported by taxes (usually local, federal or state
government may contribute); they are under a board to serve the public; they are
open to all and all community members can access their collections; public libraries
provide basic services without charge (Rubin, 2010). The presence of a public
library in a community is an indication that the community is literate. The basic
difference between a public library and other types of libraries is that the main aim
of public library is to provide the information needs of the general public rather than
provide the information needs of just a particular school, institution, or research
population. The services of the public library are free. They organize reading clubs,
storytelling, exhibition etc. users can borrow books and are given access to internet
were available.

Functions and services of public libraries:

1. They cater for the social, educational and recreational needs of the
community.
2. They collect, preserve and disseminate library resources suitable for different
categories of people such as children, adults, literates and illiterates
3. They usually engage in repackaging of information using audio-visual
materials and indigenous languages to render information services to the
illiterate class.
4. They promote recreation and leisure reading
5. They promote the civic and cultural activities of the community
6. They create and strengthen reading habits in children from childhood
7. They support both individual and self-conducted education as well as formal
education at all levels.
8. They provide adequate information that will improve the knowledge and
opinion of the masses.

3.3.5 National Libraries

National libraries are specially established by the government of the nation to serve
as the pre-eminent repository of information for that country. Unlike public libraries,
national libraries rarely allow citizens to borrow books. Their collections usually

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consist of rare, valuable, or significant works. The major mandate of national
libraries is to serve as the memory of the nation. Being the nation’s depository
Centre, they are responsible for receiving all copy right publications within the
country.

Functions of National Libraries

1. To act as the legal depository and bibliographic Centre of the nation

2. To give advice or library development or organization to any agency of the
federal, state or local government.
3. To have a responsibility for the national bibliography and development of
bibliographic services.

The national library of Nigeria, with the Headquarters at Abuja, plays a parental
role to other libraries in Nigeria. It issues the International Standard Book Number
(ISBN), to publishers and authors of books.

Self-Assessment Exercises

1. The basic types of libraries are:

A. Academic libraries; children’s libraries; public libraries and national libraries.

B. Public libraries; adult libraries, children’s libraries and national libraries.
C. Agricultural libraries, academic libraries, organizational libraries and public
libraries.
D. Academic libraries; research/special libraries; school libraries; public
libraries and national libraries.

2. One of these is not a key function of Academic libraries:

A. To act as the legal depository and bibliographic centre of the nation

B. Provision of research information resources in line with the needs of the
staff and students
C. Provision of information materials as required for the academic programs
of the parent institutions
D. Provision of information resources for recreation and for personal self-
development of users.

Feedback
2. A
1. D

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4.0 Conclusion

The use of library is pertinent to the individual, the society and economic growth of
the nation. The society is dynamic and meeting the change requires constant
research. Research can only be worthwhile when there is repository of knowledge
or information.

5.0 Summary

To recap what you have learned in this unit, click on the video below or copy the
link and paste on a web browser. The video is a summary of what you have read
in this unit. You could also click on the audio version and listen. You can also
download them and play offline.

Video

Audio

6.0 References/Further Readings

Zhang, C (2011) The Origin and Development of [Link] presented at

International Conference on Computer Science,Environment, Eco-informatics, and
Education.pp63-67[Link]
1_12

Different types of libraries

[Link]

[Link]
Library/

IFLA, the Public Library Services

[Link]
service/[Link]

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Unit 2: Library Services
Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
3.0 Main Content
3.1 General library Services
3.2 Specialized library services
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 References/Further Reading

1.0 Introduction

In this unit, you will learn about the various services of the library. These services
are designed to ease academic work and research. The services provided to users
depend on the objectives of the parent organization of the library. Although,
services provided in libraries may differ, but there are certain services that are
common to all libraries known as general library services e.g. lending services,
reservation services, Inter-library loan service and document delivery, reference
service, current awareness service and user education . There are also some
specialized services that libraries provide for users such as: literature search,
selective dissemination of information, referral service, and translation service. All
these services will be treated in this unit.

2.0 Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Distinguish the types of library services

• Choose a library based on the services

3.0 Main Content

3.1 General Library Services

Reference Services

According to Kadir (2012), a reference service is the personal assistance given by

the reference personnel (librarians) to library users in search of information for
whatever purpose. Library users and potential users have different reference
queries that need to be solved by the librarians. Reference processes involve
interviewing the reader to enable the reference librarian to articulate the problem
of the user clearly. The outcome of the interview will determine what source in the

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library or outside the library (other libraries) to use in order to provide answers to
the queries.

There are different types of queries, they include the following;

Directional

This type involves reader questing for a specific location within the library. Most
readers, especially first-time users, find the services very useful.

Ready/quick reference question

This is when a reader asks a specific question relating to the use of library
materials in the reference sections. For example, what is the population of Ghana?
Who was the president of Ghana in year 2000? These are everyday questions that
readers regularly ask reference librarians. These questions are easily answered
by consulting a specific reference source, such as almanacs, biographies,
yearbooks, dictionaries etc.

To answering these types of queries, most libraries have created a special desk
called the information desk.

Search Questions

Readers often need background information or general information on a theme.

Such questions cannot be met by one single reference source in the library. One
might need the use of a variety of sources to answer the reference question, for
example, what is the difference between conventional education and open and
distance education? The reference librarian may need to consult dictionaries,
encyclopedias, handbooks, indexes, abstracts, etc. to answer such questions.

Research Questions

This is a more serious type of reference service. Here the user is faced with a
research topic that requires comprehensive reference sources in order to provide
literature review. For example, to answer a question on the role of the library in
national development, the user will need to consult a wide variety of sources that
will assist him/her in compiling a comprehensive listing of pertinent documents
relevant to the topic. In addition, the library may refer the user to experts in the
field.

Vertical files

In general, reference librarians maintain specific source that will meet the local
enquiries, such as an airline/railway/bus time-tables, public holidays, local cinema
shows, and directions within a city. Sources for answering such question are kept

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by the reference librarians and they are referred to as vertical files. They are
usually sources of miscellaneous information. It is important therefore, for
reference librarians to keep such sources as maps, brochures, telephones, guides
etc of towns or cities in which the libraries are located.

Statistics

All records of user’s queries must be well kept by the reference librarian. This is to
enable the library to know the nature of user’s queries and get adequately prepared
to answer them in future.

Current Awareness Services (CAS)

Current awareness service is defined by Ashikuzzaman (2013) as the

establishment of a system for reviewing publications immediately at receipt,
selecting information pertinent to the programme of the organization served, and
recording individual items to be brought to the attention of those persons to whose
work are related.

The purpose of current awareness service is to keep users abreast with up to date
information in their specialized field of interest. The reference librarians achieve
this, by collating all latest documents and by using user’s profile, sends them
through telephone calls, e-mail, scan etc to users. Materials such as preprints of
papers, photocopy of table of contents, periodicals routings, library bulletins, can
be sent to users. Library’s recently published accession lists or acquisition list
containing bibliographic details of new materials just acquired can also be sent to
users.

Current awareness service is not a personalized service, thus information provided

to users is in broad subject categories without necessary targeting a user.
Information can be provided on journals, books, conference proceedings, theses
and dissertations, newspapers, and magazines.

Inter Library Loan Service

Resource sharing and collaboration is one of the new trends in librarianship. A

library may not be able to meet the information needs of all its users due to limited
resources. Any user in need of any material that is not available in his library,
informs the reference librarian who in turn loans such a material from any
collaborating library for the user. Libraries go into partnership and collaboration to
enable them share resources. Such resources must be returned by the reference
librarian on or before the date due.

Lending Services

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The librarian at the circulation section of the library is responsible for charging and
discharging of library resources. He will provide information in this regard to the
users. For example, only registered library users can borrow books and other
library resources. Also, potential library users are required to register before being
permitted to use the library. Registration of clientele may be manual, or computer
based.

To borrow a book, borrower’s ticket form will be filled by the user. This operation
could also be computerized. However, before you are allowed to go home with the
book, it must be stamped with date-due-stamp. There is a slip (date-due-slip) that
all books available for loan carry in the library. This slip is pasted at the loose leave
at the back of every book (on circulation) in the library. A Date-Due-Slip usually
contains the author’s name title of the book, date due, accessioning number, and
call mark.

DATE-DUE-SLIP
NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE/UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
University Village, Plot 91, Cadastral Zone
Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Way, Jabi-Abuja

In order that this book may be put to the best use, this book is due on the latest
date stamped below.
A fine of N100 per day will be charge for each day overdue

24th August, 2017

Date-Due-Slip

The length of time a book can be borrowed depends on the library’s policy. The
library’s policy also determines the number of books a user can borrow at a time.
The number of books and the duration of time a book can be borrowed differ with
students and staff. The policy most times gives more time and books to staff.

To know what book to borrow, the user may check the various catalogues which
could be manual or electronic. For example, open access catalogues (OPAC) is
an electronic catalogue. He can search by subject, title or author etc. the class
mark indicates the location of the book on the shelf. Once the book is retrieved
from the shelf, the user can now go straight to the circulation desk with it for
charging. The reader could return the borrowed book before the date-due if he has
finished using it, but if he has not finished using it before the expiration of the date
due, he could go back to the library with the book to renew if such book is not on
reserve. If the user keeps the book after expiration date, at return, he must pay the
fine of N100 (depending on the library) per day. This fine is to discourage users

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from holding tight to library’s materials for long and for them to have consideration
for other library users who may also need such a book.

The first daily task of the circulation department is the shelving of all books
consulted by library users the previous day. The library users usually advised to
leave consulted books on the reading tables and in the carrels. The circulation staff
is expected to gather these books first thing in the morning, while statistics is taken
of the books consulted by users. These books are then arranged on the book truck
in a classified order and wheeled to the shelves, where they will be appropriately
shelved, subject by subject. These shelves are usually labeled at the outer sides’
front and by the sides according to subjects.

Reservation Service

Reservation service is very important in academic and school libraries because

there are some materials that are heavily used and stand the risk of being stolen
or mutilated if such materials are kept on open shelves. Reserved materials cannot
be lent out. They are kept in a restricted area where they could be loaned out for
a limited period. Personal books from lecturers can be kept for their students in the
reserve collection room.

User Education

User education equips users with adequate knowledge on the use of the library. It
enables users to effectively and efficiently use the library resources. This can be
in form of library orientation or classroom instruction. Library orientation involves
taking a group of users on a guided tour of the library. At the end of the tour, there
is usually a special session with the group to discuss the various activities of the
library and how readers could benefit from the services of the library.

In the case of classroom instruction, user education is a credit-earning course.

Library activities are integrated with the curriculum of students who are expected
to earn credit for the course. The library staff in conjunction with academic staff
often provides a series of topics for instruction. The objective of the course is to
teach students the skills that will enable them explore the resources of the library
and, more importantly, to assist the students in the research methodology course,
which is often compulsory in most undergraduate programmes.

3.2 Specialized Library Services

3.2.1. Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)

This type of service is particularly common in special libraries. The main objective
of SDI is to provide users (especially in special libraries) with information that will

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promote their research and other day- to- day activities. With SDI the user is
relieved of the problem of sieving through many documents before getting the
relevant documents. Thus, the user’s time is saved for other purpose. SDI is a
customized service which is very common in academic and special libraries.

SDI service is a personalized service which is unlike the current awareness service
that is a group service. For SDI, the library staff, on a regular basis, searches
through a mass of literature from which those that are of interest to a user are
selected and are made available to him/her. The librarian must collect the research
profile of users. This is achieved through giving users a well-designed form to fill
and a one-on-one interview by the librarian with users. This way, the user’s area
of interest is determined with precision. The librarian, who keeps complete details
of his document, matches the key, words in the documents profile with key words
in user’s profile. If the system is computerized, users and documents profiles are
matched to sift out relevant documents for a user and this is sent to him/her through
email, fax, post or courier.

3.2.2. Referral Service

The library in this case can direct a user to another library to an alternative source
of information if such information is not available in its own library. With a referral
letter, the user can be directed for example, to professional organizations, research
institutes, individual specialists and other libraries that can meet the information
needs of a reader. The reference librarian maintains a list of referral institutions
and experts that is regularly updated.

3.2.3 Translation Service

Some libraries offer translation service. This is done when users request for a
translation of information materials needed from English to indigenous language(s)
that users can comprehend. The library therefore must maintain a list of
professional translators that can be easily contacted to render such service. This
service is particularly needed in scientific libraries with periodicals in foreign
languages. There are some organizations that also perform translation service e.g.
European Translation Centre in Delft, the Netherlands. Translation could also be
done in-house.

3.2.4 Literature Search Service

Special libraries normally provide this specialized service to their users. In most
other libraries, users usually do their own literature search. It is easy to provide
literature search for users of special libraries because they are usually small in
number and their research and information needs are homogeneous. Literature
search is a systematic search for knowledge and information contained in
resources of the library on a topic or theme.

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 The library catalogue is the main source for searching for relevant documents,
either by author, title or subject entries. A comprehensive bibliographic detail of
these relevant documentsis compiled.

Self-Assessment Exercises

1. A reference service can be best described as:

A. The personal assistance given by the reference personnel (libraries) to

library users in search of information for whatever purpose
B. The establishment of a system for reviewing publications immediately at
receipt, selecting information pertinent to the programme of the organization
served, and recording individual items to be brought to the attention of those
persons to whose work are related
C. Equipping users with adequate knowledge on the use of the library through
orientation or classroom instruction
D. A systematic search for knowledge and information contained in resources
of the library on a topic or theme.

2. Referral service is when:

A. Information materials are translated from English to indigenous language(s)

that users can comprehended
B. Libraries conduct a systematic search for knowledge and information
contained in resources of the library on a topic or theme
C. There is an establishment of a system for reviewing publications
immediately at receipt, selection of information pertinent to the programme
of the organization served and recording of individual items to be brought
to the attention of those persons to whose work are related.
D. A user is directed to another library, to an alternative source of information
if such information is not available in his/her library.

Feedback
2. D
1. A

4.0 Conclusion

Library services are common to all libraries and there are specialized library
services. The type of information required determines the type of library services
that will be required by the user or provided by the library. You will learn about
research technique in the text module. This will give you opportunity to learn more
about the services of library.

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5.0 Summary

In this unit, you have learned about general library services such as lending
services, Inter-library loan service and document delivery, reservation service,
reference service, current awareness service and user education. Specialized
library services such as literature search, selective dissemination of information,
referral service and translation service were also explained. Click on the video for
easy re-cap.

To recap what you have learned in this unit, click on the video below or copy the
link and paste on a web browser. The video is a summary of what you have read
in this unit. You could also click on the audio version and listen. You can also
download them and play offline.

Video

Audio

6.0 References/Further Reading

Ajayi Crowther University Library Services

[Link]

Andrers, M. E. Reference Service in Special Libraries

[Link]
pe=pdf

Ashikuzzaman (2013) Current Awareness Service (CAS)

[Link]

Kadir, N.A (2012) Why do we Need Reference Services?

[Link]
services/

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